Mark 14 Bible in Basic English
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes made designs how they might take him by deceit and put him to death:
1 It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception and kill him.
2 But they said, Not while the feast is going on, for fear there may be trouble among the people.
2 For they said, “Not during the feast, because there might be a riot among the people.”
3 And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, seated at table, there came a woman with a bottle of perfumed oil of great price; and when the bottle was broken she put the perfume on his head.
3 While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard—very costly. She broke the jar and poured it over his head.
4 But some of them were angry among themselves, saying, For what purpose has this oil been wasted?
4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, “Why has this ointment been wasted?
5 We might have got more than three hundred pence for it, and given the money to the poor. And they said things against her among themselves.
5 For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” So they grumbled against her.
6 But Jesus said, Let her be; why are you troubling her? she has done a kind act to me.
6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.
7 The poor you have ever with you, and whenever you have the desire you may do them good: but me you have not for ever.
7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.
8 She has done what she was able: she has put oil on my body to make it ready for its last resting-place.
8 She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.
9 And truly I say to you, Wherever the good news goes out through all the earth, what this woman has done will be talked of in memory of her.
9 Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her.”
10 And Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, so that he might give him up to them.
10 Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them.
11 And hearing what he said, they were glad, and gave him their word to make him a payment of money. And he took thought how he might best give him up to them.
11 They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.
12 And on the first day of unleavened bread, when the Passover lamb is put to death, his disciples said to him, Where are we to go and make ready for you to take the Passover meal?
12 On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?”
13 And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, Go into the town, and there will come to you a man with a vessel of water: go after him;
13 He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and there a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him,
14 And wherever he goes in, say to the owner of the house, The Master says, Where is my guest-room, where I may take the Passover with my disciples?
14 and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’
15 And he will take you up himself to a great room with a table and seats: there make ready for us.
15 He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.”
16 And the disciples went out and came into the town, and saw that it was as he had said: and they made ready the Passover.
16 His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
17 And when it was evening he came with the twelve.
17 When it was evening he came with the twelve.
18 And while they were seated taking food, Jesus said, Truly I say to you, One of you will be false to me, one who is taking food with me.
18 As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me—he who eats with me.”
19 They were sad, and said to him one by one, Is it I?
19 They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, “Surely not I?” And another said, “Surely not I?”
20 And he said to them, It is one of the twelve, one who is putting his bread with me into the same plate.
20 He answered them, “It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.
21 The Son of man goes, even as the Writings say of him: but cursed is that man through whom the Son of man is given up! It would have been well for that man if he had never been given birth.
21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”
22 And while they were taking food, he took bread, and after blessing it, he gave the broken bread to them, and said, Take it: this is my body.
22 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed it, he broke it and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body.”
23 And he took a cup, and when he had given praise, he gave it to them: and they all had a drink from it.
23 He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it.
24 And he said to them, This is my blood of the testament, which is given for men.
24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.
25 Truly I say to you, I will take no more of the fruit of the vine till the day when I take it new in the kingdom of God.
25 Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in God’s Kingdom.”
26 And after a song of praise to God they went out to the Mountain of Olives.
26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
27 And Jesus said to them, You will all be turned away from me: for it is in the Writings, I will put the keeper of the sheep to death, and the sheep will be put to flight.
27 Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
28 But after I have come back from the dead, I will go before you into Galilee.
28 However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”
29 But Peter said to him, Though the others may be turned away from you, I will not.
29 But Peter said to him, “Although all will be offended, yet I will not.”
30 And Jesus said to him, Truly, I say to you that you, today, even this night, before the cock's second cry, will say three times that you have no knowledge of me.
30 Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”
31 But he said with passion, If I have to be put to death with you, I will not be false to you. And they all said the same.
31 But he spoke all the more, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” They all said the same thing.
32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he said to his disciples, Be seated here while I say a prayer.
32 They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and grief and great trouble came on him.
33 He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.
34 And he said to them, My soul is very sad, even to death: be here a little time, and keep watch.
34 He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”
35 And he went forward a little, and falling down on the earth, made request that, if possible, the hour might go from him.
35 He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.
36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; take away this cup from me: but even so let not my pleasure, but yours be done.
36 He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire.”
37 And he came, and saw them sleeping, and said to Peter, Simon, are you sleeping? were you not able to keep watch one hour?
37 He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour?
38 Keep watch with prayer, so that you may not be put to the test; the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is feeble.
38 Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39 And again he went away, and said a prayer, using the same words.
39 Again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.
40 And again he came and saw them sleeping, because their eyes were very tired; and they had nothing to say in answer.
40 Again he returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they didn’t know what to answer him.
41 And he came the third time, and said to them, Go on sleeping now and take your rest: it is enough; the hour has come; see, the Son of man is given up into the hands of evil men.
41 He came the third time and said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42 Get up, let us be going; see, he who gives me up is near.
42 Arise! Let’s get going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”
43 And straight away, while he was still talking, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great band with swords and sticks, from the chief priests and the scribes and those in authority.
43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.
44 Now he who had been false to him had given them a sign, saying, The one to whom I give a kiss, that is he; take him, and get him away safely.
44 Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.”
45 And when he had come, he went straight to him and said, Master; and gave him a kiss.
45 When he had come, immediately he came to him and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him.
46 And they put their hands on him, and took him.
46 They laid their hands on him and seized him.
47 But a certain one of those who were near took out his sword, and gave the servant of the high priest a blow, cutting off his ear.
47 But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48 And Jesus said to them, Have you come out as against a thief, with swords and sticks to take me?
48 Jesus answered them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me?
49 I was with you every day in the Temple teaching, and you did not take me; but this is done so that the Writings may come true.
49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.”
50 And they all went away from him in fear.
50 They all left him, and fled.
51 And a certain young man went after him, with only a linen cloth about his body; and they put their hands on him;
51 A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself over his naked body. The young men grabbed him,
52 But he got away unclothed, without the linen cloth.
52 but he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
53 And they took Jesus away to the high priest; and there came together with him all the chief priests and those in authority and the scribes.
53 They led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.
54 And Peter had come after him at a distance, even into the house of the high priest; and he was seated with the captains, warming himself in the light of the fire.
54 Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.
55 Now the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were looking for witness against Jesus so that they might put him to death; and they were unable to get any.
55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.
56 For a number gave false witness against him and their witness was not in agreement.
56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn’t agree with each other.
57 Then some got up and gave false witness against him, saying,
57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying,
58 He said in our hearing, I will put an end to this Temple which is made with hands, and in three days I will make another without hands.
58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’”
59 And even so their witness was not in agreement.
59 Even so, their testimony didn’t agree.
60 And the high priest got up in the middle of them, and said to Jesus, Do you say nothing in answer? what is it which these say against you?
60 The high priest stood up in the middle, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?”
61 But he kept quiet and said nothing. Again the high priest questioning him said, Are you the Christ, the son of the Holy One?
61 But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
62 And Jesus said, I am: and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.
62 Jesus said, “I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky.”
63 And the high priest, violently parting his robes, said, What more need have we of witnesses?
63 The high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need have we of witnesses?
64 His words against God have come to your ears: what is your opinion? And they all said it was right for him to be put to death.
64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” They all condemned him to be worthy of death.
65 And some put shame on him and, covering his face, gave him blows and said to him, Now say what is to come: and the captains took him and gave him blows with their hands.
65 Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, “Prophesy!” The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
66 And while Peter was down in the open square of the building, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came;
66 As Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the maids of the high priest came,
67 And seeing Peter warming himself by the fire, she gave him a look, and said, You were with this Nazarene, even Jesus.
67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus!”
68 But he said, I have no knowledge of him, or of what you are saying: and he went out into the doorway; and there came the cry of a cock.
68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed.
69 And the girl saw him, and said again to those who were near, This is one of them.
69 The maid saw him and began again to tell those who stood by, “This is one of them.”
70 But again he said it was not so. And after a little time, again those who were near said to Peter, Truly you are one of them; for you are a Galilaean.
70 But he again denied it. After a little while again those who stood by said to Peter, “You truly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”
71 But, with curses and oaths, he said, I have no knowledge of the man about whom you are talking.
71 But he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know this man of whom you speak!”
72 And in the same minute, the cock gave a second cry. And it came to Peter's mind how Jesus had said to him, Before the cock's second cry, you will say three times that you have no knowledge of me. And at this thought he was overcome with weeping.
72 The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the words that Jesus said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” When he thought about that, he wept.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
Places
Gethsemane
Gethsemane ('oil press') was a garden on the lower Mount of Olives. Jesus prayed here on the night of his arrest; ancient olive trees still grow on the traditional site.
Cited in the guide: Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32; Luke 22:44
Cross references (69)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Exodus 12:6–20; Luke 22:1–2; John 13:1; Deuteronomy 16:1–8; Leviticus 23:5–7
- 2 John 7:40; Mark 11:18; Proverbs 21:30; Mark 11:32; Luke 20:6
- 3 Luke 7:37–39; John 12:1–8; John 11:2; Matthew 26:6–13; Song of Songs 4:13–14
- 4 John 12:4–5; Matthew 26:8–9; Ecclesiastes 5:4–8; Malachi 1:12–13; Ecclesiastes 4:4
- 5 John 13:29; Matthew 20:11; Psalm 106:25; 1 Corinthians 10:10; Matthew 18:28
- 6 Titus 3:14; Matthew 26:10; Hebrews 13:21; Hebrews 10:24; Titus 2:7
- 7 Deuteronomy 15:11; Matthew 26:11; James 2:14–16; 1 John 3:16–19; John 16:5
- 8 2 Corinthians 8:12; John 12:7; Mark 15:42–16:1; Luke 23:53–24:3; 2 Corinthians 8:1–3
- 9 Matthew 26:12–13; Mark 16:15; Matthew 24:14; Psalm 112:6–9; Zechariah 6:14
- 10 Luke 22:3–6; Matthew 26:14–16; John 13:2; Psalm 41:9; Matthew 10:4
- 11 1 Timothy 6:10; Matthew 26:15; Hosea 7:3; Jude 11; Proverbs 28:21–22
- 12 Exodus 12:6; Numbers 28:16–18; Exodus 12:18; 1 Corinthians 5:7–8; Exodus 12:8
- 13 Matthew 26:18–19; Luke 22:10–13; Luke 19:30–33; Hebrews 5:9; Hebrews 4:13
- 14 Revelation 3:20; Mark 10:17; John 13:13; John 11:28; Mark 11:3
- 15 Acts 1:13; John 21:17; Proverbs 21:1–2; Proverbs 16:1; 2 Chronicles 6:30
- 16 Luke 22:13; John 16:4; Luke 22:35
- 17 Luke 22:14; Matthew 26:20–24; Luke 22:21–23; John 13:21–26
- 18 Psalm 41:9; John 6:47; John 6:70; Matthew 6:5; Mark 6:11
- 19 John 13:22; Matthew 26:22; Luke 22:21–23
- 20 John 13:26; John 6:71; Mark 14:43; Matthew 26:23; Luke 22:47
- 21 Matthew 26:24–25; Isaiah 53:1–12; Matthew 18:6–7; Daniel 9:24; Zechariah 13:7
- 22 Matthew 26:26–29; Mark 14:24; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; 1 Corinthians 11:23–29; Luke 24:30
- 23 Mark 14:22; Matthew 26:27; 1 Corinthians 10:16; Romans 14:6; Luke 22:17
- 24 Exodus 24:8; Zechariah 9:11; Hebrews 9:15–23; Revelation 7:9–17; Hebrews 13:20–21
- 25 Matthew 26:29; Psalm 104:15; Zechariah 9:17; Luke 22:29–30; Joel 3:18
- 26 Matthew 26:30; Luke 22:39; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Psalm 47:6–7; Judges 18:1–4
- 27 Zechariah 13:7; John 16:32; Matthew 26:31; John 16:1; 2 Timothy 4:16
- 28 Matthew 28:16; Mark 16:7; Matthew 28:7; Matthew 28:10; Matthew 26:32
- 29 Luke 22:33–34; John 13:36–38; Matthew 26:33–35; John 21:15
- 30 Mark 14:66–72; John 13:38; Luke 22:34; Genesis 1:5; Genesis 1:8
- 31 John 13:37; Exodus 19:8; Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 16:18; Deuteronomy 5:27–29
- 32 Mark 14:39; Mark 14:36; Psalm 18:5–6; Psalm 22:1–2; Psalm 88:1–3
- 33 Luke 22:44; Hebrews 5:7; Mark 5:37; Mark 1:16–19; Psalm 69:1–3
- 34 John 12:27; Mark 13:35–37; 1 Peter 5:8; Isaiah 53:12; Lamentations 1:12
- 35 Mark 14:41; Deuteronomy 9:18; Genesis 17:3; Acts 10:25–26; Hebrews 5:7
- 36 Galatians 4:6; John 5:30; Romans 8:15–16; Hebrews 5:7–8; John 12:27
- 37 Matthew 26:40; Mark 14:29–31; Mark 14:40–41; Luke 9:31–32; Hebrews 12:3
- 38 Matthew 26:41; Luke 21:36; Matthew 24:42; Luke 22:40; Romans 7:18–25
- 39 Matthew 26:42–44; Matthew 6:7; 2 Corinthians 12:8; Luke 18:1
- 40 Romans 3:19; Mark 9:33–34; Genesis 44:16
- 41 Mark 14:35; Mark 9:31; John 17:1; John 12:27; Mark 7:9
- 42 Matthew 26:46; John 18:1–2
- 43 Luke 22:47–53; John 18:3–11; Matthew 26:47–56; Psalm 2:1–2; Psalm 22:11–13
- 44 Matthew 26:48–50; Proverbs 27:6; Exodus 12:13; Psalm 55:20–21
- 45 John 13:13–14; Isaiah 1:3; John 20:16; Mark 12:14; Luke 6:46
- 46 Judges 16:21; John 18:12; Acts 2:23; Lamentations 4:20
- 47 Luke 22:49–51; Matthew 26:51–54; John 18:10–11
- 48 1 Samuel 26:18; Luke 22:52–53; 1 Samuel 24:14–15; Matthew 26:55
- 49 John 18:20; John 8:2; Matthew 26:54; Luke 22:37; Daniel 9:24–26
- 50 Mark 14:27; John 16:32; Psalm 88:18; 2 Timothy 4:16; Psalm 88:7–8
- 52 Mark 13:14–16; Genesis 39:12
- 53 Matthew 26:57–68; Luke 22:54–62; John 18:12–14; John 18:19–24; Isaiah 53:7
- 54 John 18:18; Matthew 26:3; John 18:25; John 18:15–16; 1 Samuel 13:7
- 55 Matthew 26:59–60; 1 Peter 3:16–18; Acts 24:1–13; Matthew 5:22; 1 Kings 21:13
- 57 Acts 6:13–14; Matthew 26:60–61; Jeremiah 26:8–9; Mark 15:29; Matthew 27:40
- 58 John 2:19; Hebrews 9:11; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Acts 7:48; Mark 15:29
- 60 John 19:9–10; Mark 15:3–5; Matthew 26:62–63
- 61 Matthew 26:63–64; Mark 15:2; Isaiah 53:7; John 10:30–31; John 19:7
- 62 Daniel 7:13–14; Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:3; Mark 13:26; Matthew 24:30
- 63 Matthew 26:65; Numbers 14:6; Acts 14:13–14; Isaiah 36:22–37:1; Jeremiah 36:23–24
- 64 Leviticus 24:16; John 19:7; John 10:31–33; John 8:58–59; Matthew 26:65–66
- 65 Matthew 26:67–68; Acts 23:2; Luke 22:63–64; John 19:3; Isaiah 50:6
- 66 Mark 14:54; Matthew 26:69–75; John 18:25–27; John 18:15–18; Matthew 26:58
- 67 Mark 14:54; Mark 10:47; Acts 10:38; John 1:45–49; John 19:19
- 68 Mark 14:29–31; Matthew 26:71–72; 2 Timothy 2:12–13; Mark 14:72; John 13:36–38
- 69 Mark 14:38; Galatians 6:1; John 18:17; Luke 22:58; John 18:25
- 70 Matthew 26:73–74; Luke 22:59–60; Mark 14:68; Acts 2:7; John 18:26–27
- 71 1 Corinthians 10:12; 2 Kings 10:32; 2 Kings 8:12–15; Jeremiah 17:9
- 72 Mark 14:30; Mark 14:68; Ezekiel 7:16; 2 Samuel 24:10; Jeremiah 31:18–20
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
… which has been handed down to us from the beginning; "watching unto prayer," and persevering in fasting; beseeching in our supplications the all-seeing God "not to lead us into temptation," as the Lord has said: "The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Besides, the Lord also declared regarding him, "Woe to the man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed;" and, "It were better for him if he had never been born;" and he was called the "son of perdition" by Him.
For false witnesses, when they were asked what they had heard Him say, alleged against Him: "We heard Him saying, I will destroy this Temple, and after three days I will raise it up." "After three days I will raise up," they had heard: "I will destroy," they had not heard: but had heard "destroy ye." One word they changed …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 8 (1888)
"But Peter answered and said, Though all men should be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended."
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
Although, then, the Lord said, Good were it for that man that he had never been born, He said it in condemnation not of His own creation but of the evil which His own creation had acquired by his own choice and through his own heedlessness.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 9 (1899)